Argentinian Victory: First Time Since 1986
by Jackie Hernandez, Reporter
Sports, Global News
Photo Courtesy of Euronews
On Sunday, December 18, 2022, Argentina won the World Cup against France, making them global soccer champions. The team has come a long way since the time they won against England in 1986. Many thought that France’s strong team would give them an edge, especially given their last win in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. France’s super weapon is rising athlete Kylian Mbappe, number 10 on the team, who broke several records during the World Cup.
During the game, Argentina started strong. Leo Messi scored a goal in the first 23 minutes of the match, and later Ángel Di Maria scored the second goal for Argentina. The score was 2-0, and France was struggling. The team was begging to score a goal, and at this point, I had a feeling France wasn’t going to make it. But the tables turned when Mbappe scored the first goal for France 80 minutes into the game, a close call because soccer matches usually last from 90 to 100 minutes. Seconds later, Mbappe scored another goal, tying the game up at 2-2. Now the game was getting heated, with rough play escalating as the game came to a close. Both teams, of course, wanted the cup, but there could only be one winner. Messi at the 108-minute mark took the lead leaving the score at 3-2, but soccer is one of those sports where anything can happen within minutes or even seconds. At the 118 minutes, Mbappe scored, leaving them both tied. It was time for penalties.
Penalty kicks always put me on the edge of my seat, because they are either a hit or miss. First up was Mbappe, who scored. Then, Messi came and also made it. Three of the French players missed the shots, which left Argentina in a winning position. The last kick, was by Gonzalo Montiel who was looking to go big. The whole world was watching; you could feel the intensity as he prepared himself for the kick. He started running towards the ball, passed it between the goalposts, and shouted that Argentina had won the World Cup.
The golden shoe was awarded to Emi Martinez, the best goalkeeper, and the golden boot to Mbappe for making 8 goals in the competition. The young player award was given to Enzo Fernández of Argentina, while Messi was given the golden ball for the best player, confirming his G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) status.
Overall Argentina is a strong team, always making it to the finals, but hasn’t won the World Cup since before the ‘90s. The famous Lionel Messi has played with the team since he was eighteen years old, facing some backlash for not winning the World Cup since he’s been playing for so long. This 2022 World Cup will be his last one.
I will say this was one of the games I enjoyed the most despite the bittersweet fact that Messi is leaving the soccer league, knowing that he is one of the best. However, this can be the starting point for Mbappe; he’s only 20 years old and we will have to wait and see what he will bring in the next World Cup.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.
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